With eCommerce and social media now part of the fabric of the modern business world, data privacy becomes paramount. This fact remains obvious to anyone working in cybersecurity, as they strive to keep corporate data protected from cybercriminals. However, the privacy need that attracted the attention of those in Congress relates more to consumer data.
Still, any governmental law focused on data privacy boasts the potential to truly change the SecOps industry. So here’s a high-level analysis of this bill and the efforts to make it the law of the land. Leverage this information to ensure your company remains prepared for any ramifications of the bill’s potential passage.
What Is The Data Privacy Bill Congress Hopes to Pass?
A Closer Look at The American Data Privacy and Protection Act
This data privacy bill, known as The American Data Privacy and Protection Act (ADPPA), focuses more on consumer data. Current laws covering Americans’ rights for data protection became effectively obsolete over time. Notably, two massive technology firms in the country – Google and Facebook – rely on customer data to sell advertising. In both cases, these firms grew to dominate social media and online search largely because of ad revenue.
In effect, these businesses essentially commodify online consumer behavior to sell targeted advertising. The value inherent within this data makes online retailers, banks, and financial companies attractive targets for cybercriminals. While the largest conglomerates in business – like the previously named companies – boast strong SecOps teams, smaller firms may not.
Even though the bill boasts bipartisan support, it currently remains stuck on the floor of the House. In fact, most political pundits expect it not to come up for a vote until after the mid-term elections. This means any passage into law gets delayed until 2023 at the earliest.
Why ADPPA Matters For Corporate SecOps Practices
As noted earlier, the ADPPA focuses on consumer data privacy and how businesses use and protect customer data. As such, some SecOps teams might feel the bill lies outside their operational scope. However, protecting customer data squarely falls into the functional area of any business’s cybersecurity practice.
So expect the passage of ADPPA to ramp up the audit requirements for companies maintaining customer data. Also understand that some states boast more stringent requirements for customer data privacy, especially California. It behooves anyone responsible for a business’s SecOps and information security practices to stay aware of any legal changes. This includes the contents of a potential ADPPA federal law and similar state privacy laws where a business operates.
Ready to Find Talent?
If your business needs an influx of SecOps talent, contact the team at Redbud Cyber. As the top cybersecurity staffing agencies in the country, we provide exceptional candidates to protect your customer data. Schedule a meeting with us to discuss your current hiring plans.